Last Updated on January 24, 2024 by Michael Tijani
One of the greatest fears of young people is becoming an Adult. Once you start living alone, bills immediately start to pile up. Health Insurance is another major issue that gives young adults cause to worry. And to think that health care in America without Health Insurance is a no-no. One needs to hold health insurance with utmost priority.
This provides comfort in knowing that most expenses will be covered in the event of a health emergency. But where can a young adult in California obtain the greatest health insurance plans?
With a plethora of options available within California and online, choosing the very best health insurance plan for you can become a nightmare.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the Best Health Insurance in California for Young Adults. This post will cover everything you need to know about picking the best health insurance in California as a young adult.
Make sure you read this post to the end. It promises to be very insightful and helpful.
Best Health Insurance in California for Young Adults
1. Aetna
Aetna offers 100% premium tax credit coverage. Several factors, such as your location, income, household size, and more, will affect how much your insurance and credits will cost.
Aetna has introduced bronze plans for 2024 that outperform other competitors. For instance, many bronze plans demand a $9,100 deductible before granting access to low-cost copays for generic medications, doctors, and specialists. Aetna, however, does not require that the deductible be met first and instead offers plans with copays of $25 for generic medications and $50 and $100 for PCPs and specialists. Knowing that young adults want to cut expenses, this plan will be a fit for Young adults.
2. Oscar
Oscar is a tech-savvy startup that offers a comprehensive lineup of healthcare plans. This is perfect for young adults because of the technology craze and savviness in the world now. Lots of health management programs are also available, including one for weight loss, which is uncommon among rivals. Regarding cost, the carrier offers both gold and silver plans with $0 copays.
Oscar’s highly regarded software might also appeal to younger, tech-savvy individuals. It connects to Google Fit or Apple Health, and it will pay you $1 each day you reach your step objectives, up to $75 annually. The app also allows you to message your care team, evaluate your plan, and identify nearby care.
Oscar only serves 21 states and doesn’t provide platinum plans. The company received a lower overall National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) grade than many of its rivals. For younger folks looking for a decent compromise between high-quality coverage and affordability, Oscar plans can be a perfect option.
3. Blue Cross Blue Shield
Due to its catastrophic coverage for young adults, BCBS entered our list. Adults 30 and younger who are ineligible for premium tax credits are the target market for catastrophic coverage. It has affordable monthly fees and crucial health benefits like preventive care. The deductibles are extremely hefty. Basic preventative care and coverage for worst-case circumstances are the key advantages.
You get a reputable provider with a large network when you choose BCBS for catastrophic coverage. It is said that one in three Americans gets health insurance through Blue Cross Blue Shield. BCBS offers a wide range of plan options and types. When it comes to its bronze and silver plans, it is one of the more expensive carriers, though.
3. Molina Healthcare
When it comes to affordable bronze insurance, Molina stands out, especially for young adults who intend to use its coverage. Molina has unusually low deductibles when compared to its reasonable premiums for 25 Years olds. For instance, in Miami-Dade County, Florida, Molina provides bronze plans with $0 health deductibles and a $3,000 medication deductible.
Molina, though, doesn’t consistently deliver on other fronts. It often offers HMO plans, which strongly restrict you to in-network providers and excludes dental coverage from the plans we looked at. Molina is a good option to consider if you’re a young adult seeking healthcare on a small budget.
4. Kaiser Permanente
To give its members a “coordinated experience,” Kaiser Permanente, a nonprofit organization, integrates health insurance and the provision of medical services through integrated care. The number of complaints from members has been quite low as a result of this integrated approach.
In comparison to other large insurance company plans we looked at, Kaiser Permanente’s average monthly premiums for people aged 21 and 27 are the lowest on the ACA marketplace.
In comparison to several of its rivals, Kaiser Permanente receives fewer complaints overall. With the help of Kaiser’s Thrive Local referral program, members can access non-medical and socioeconomic services, such as those for people with disabilities, that they may require.
Plans from Kaiser Permanente are only offered in nine states, including California.
5. UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare has a broad provider network because it provides insurance coverage in almost all states. In recent years, UnitedHealthcare has expanded to 22 states in the Affordable Care Act marketplace, offering insurance coverage in almost all 50 states and providing more health insurance options, such as Medicare and Medicaid as well as employer-based programs.
They have other coverages such as critical illness insurance, dental insurance, hospital indemnity insurance, short-term health insurance, supplemental health insurance, term life insurance, and vision insurance. These options are in addition to traditional health insurance.
It has average health insurance premiums that are competitive for those in their 20s and the number of complaints against UnitedHealthcare is slightly greater than the national average for health insurance providers and higher than some of its rivals.
Tips On Health Insurance in California For Young Adults
1. Understand Your Choices.
It’s crucial to shop around until you find the options that are ideal for you because not all health plans are created equal. When looking at options, Covered California, the state’s health insurance marketplace, is a fantastic place to start.
During your search, price is a crucial consideration as well. To determine if you are eligible for any financial aid to help cover the monthly premium, copays, and deductibles, check with Covered California.
It’s also paramount to think about your possibilities for out-of-area care if you want to attend school in a different state. When you are outside of the service region your health plan covers, you will still have access to these services. To avoid any coverage gaps, check with your existing health insurance provider if you have any questions.
2. Study The Terms Carefully.
It’s important to understand the following key registers when comparing plans and costs:
Deductible: This is the money you pay by yourself from your pocket before your health insurance commences
Premium: The amount you pay for your health insurance every month.
Copay: A set fee you must pay for a covered medical procedure.
3. Locate A Physician Who Is Ideal For You.
After picking your health plan, choosing your primary care physician is a significant decision. Finding someone who fits your lifestyle and personality depends on a variety of things. Age, gender, and geography are the three main criteria for selecting a primary care physician. Finding a doctor with whom you can discuss your health concerns is crucial as well. You may get a sense of each doctor’s personality by browsing through their profile on the website of your health plan to find who best fits your needs.
Catastrophic Health Insurance For Young Adults.
Young adults under 30 can choose to purchase catastrophic health insurance coverage. ACA-compliant health insurance plans have identical coverage, but catastrophic health insurance has cheaper premiums and larger deductibles.
For instance, catastrophic health insurance plans from insurance companies may have deductibles of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for a family. That is a lot higher than the deductibles present in ACA plans. A high-deductible health plan, by contrast, is any health plan with a family deductible of $7,000 and a single annual deductible of $3,500.
A catastrophic plan operates in a completely different way from a regular health plan as per how deductibles function. After you’ve met your deductible under a catastrophic health plan, the health insurance provider will cover the remaining out-of-pocket expenses for the year.
Contrary to normal health insurance, which frequently includes a coinsurance part once the member and health plan split costs following the yearly deductible, this type of insurance does not. Members pay coinsurance up to the annual out-of-pocket maximum, after which the health plan starts to pay for all medical expenses for the remainder of the year.
Cheapest Health Insurance For Young Adults
Remaining on a parent’s health insurance plan is one of the most affordable options for young adults to obtain health insurance. The Affordable Care Act permits parents to keep their children on their insurance plans until they are 26, and some states even allow this. But here are some methods for young folks to locate the most affordable health insurance.
1. Stay on a parent’s health plan
If it’s an inexpensive choice, staying on your parent’s health insurance can make the most sense. To continue on your parent’s plan, you don’t have to be single and reside at home. You are still eligible for your parent’s health insurance even if you move away, get married, or have a child.
Why you might wish to continue using your parents’ health insurance is as follows:
- Since you aren’t expanding coverage, the cost of health insurance stays the same.
- If you have already used medical services this year, the money has already been applied to your deductible. A fresh plan must be created from scratch if plans change throughout the year.
- By continuing on the same plan, you can be sure that your physicians will accept your parents’ health insurance. If you switch plans, you must confirm that your providers are covered by the new plan’s network.
2. Affordable or free company health insurance.
If your company offers a group health insurance plan with no premiums or low premiums, an employer-sponsored health plan might be the best option for you.
You might join your employer’s health plan for the following reasons:
- The cost of switching to an employer-sponsored health insurance plan may be less expensive than continuing on your parents’ plan.
- If you want to keep your medical requirements private from your parents, having your plan will allow you to do so.
3. Medicaid
If you meet the requirements, a Medicaid plan may offer you a free or inexpensive health insurance plan. Your income determines the coverage and price of the low-income federal/state health plan.
Why a Medicaid plan can be a wise decision for you is given below:
- Depending on your income, Medicaid gives complete coverage at low or no cost.
- Compared to other programs, Medicaid might provide more coverage.
Short-term Health Insurance For Young Adults
In most states, short-term health insurance policies are an option. These affordable plans include few benefits and high out-of-pocket expenses for medical treatment.
Plans for the short term are designed to temporarily close coverage gaps. A short-term plan, for instance, is less expensive than COBRA insurance, which continues employer-sponsored health insurance after a layoff.
The majority of people have access to one-year short-term health plans with the option of two-year extensions. These policies are not permitted in all states, and some have time limits on coverage.
Look into the coverage details of any short-term plans you are considering. You will be responsible for all fees associated with mental health, prescription drugs, and maternity care since short-term health policies frequently don’t cover these.
Conclusion
Becoming an Adult bring with it lots of challenges, selecting a health plan need not be the same. You have lots of choices and resources at your disposal to sort through the uncertainty and create the ideal health insurance plan for you.
We hope you found this post very helpful. Kindly let us know what you think.